IF

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 22 Feb 2016
  • 2952 reads
13 comments
 

If! I traveled around many countries; I'd always come back again;

returning to my English homeland where my heart forever reigns,

it's because our changing of seasons gives nature all that's best,

for in work – sleep and play this land gives gifts; Yes! It is blessed:

 

If! I should wed my man at my ripe age; though I am old and gray,

offer to confess my love in forest on that warm Midsummer's day;

revealing all those hopes and dreams that we two now can share,

knowing all life's difficult complications will vanish into thin air.

 

If! Possible I would travel by horse and cart to meet my betrothed...

garland of wild flowers circling hair when at leafy; hollow grove,

then...with ribbons binding we'd promise to seal our solemn love ;

reading poetry by Keats to hidden creatures; as birds flit up above,

 

If! Feeling damp earth beneath our feet; dew of enchanting dawn...

sun rising atop flirtatious leafy, shining glade; capturing this morn,

where friends will join gladly...trees flourishing offering cool shade;

sharing love of nature's consent...celebrated sincere love conveyed,

 

If! We should listen carefully, sound greets rustling sparkling leaves;

maybe we'll hear proud green man whisper welcome on light breeze,

messages communicating silently from bark of gnarly old oak tree;

sending many ancient loving thoughts importantly for you and me,

 

If! Minstrel should bring fiddle or flute playing my requested tune,

while others with drums and tambourines play music for the groom;

we'll sing of forgotten castles; gallant knights; royal kings and queens,

you so proudly wearing crown of ivy; with me in long gown of green,

 

If! Full moon should appear in sky as we dance through the night,

we'll give thanks for nature's bounty...gaze in wonder at her sight;

feast on safe; wild mushrooms picked from the deepest forest floor,

join hands dancing around an open fire...as wilderness we explore.

 

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Nature
Love

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

such a beautiful word picture Jenny!

 

Submitted by celticman on

If indeed Jenny. If only. I wish. But...

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Are you anticipating such an event, Jenny?
As said above some lovely word pictures and wistfulnesss (all life's difficult complications will vanish into thin air)
I was amused at your insertion of 'safe' into the picking of wild mushroom! – people seem to call all sorts of toadstools mushrooms don't they – many of which would certainly not be safe to eat!
I often think that the changing seasons here make us more appreciate the gradual regrowth after the stark, dark time of winter.
I think you have a picture of god as part of nature itself giving blessing, where I see a God who made it and will remove thorns and sickness soon. Rhannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

 

 

Submitted by Bee on

Lovely, Jenny. 

Bee

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

So glad you enjoyed insert and appreciate you letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Yes! I agree Jack...if only! But for me there wouldn't be any buts...Ha! Ha smiley.

Always grateful to you for reading and for your comment.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

If only! I would love a celebration like this...but sadly no, it was just a poem, but it was such a nice thought just had to get it down in writing, but at least I can go there in my mind.

I know what you mean about the mushrooms, we do have to be careful that they are safe to eat.

For me there is no better place in all the world than England's countryside, we are so lucky to have the Oak tree which is my favourite of all the trees, then there's those changing seasons which some countries don't have. I suppose some people don't like the cold, where as I love it and thrive in the Winter months.

So many thanks for your interesting thoughts, I very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so glad you liked this poem Bee,

it kind of sums up everything I love about nature, just had to put it down in a poem.

Many thanks for letting me know your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Jenny - I have just stumbled on this beautiful poem, and prior to that, I was writing a reply to you on one of my previous ones.  'If, indeed', I wrote, which is echoed here, throughout, so very wistfully.

Speaking of those mushrooms, my husband picked some, some years ago now, from our garden.  He took spore prints, and everything, just to be sure they were edible, as he supposed, already looking them up in one of his many books. He ate them for supper that night, but ate them raw, as he was having them with a salad.  Later that night he was very sick.  I looked them up again in his book and found out they are fine when cooked, but in big capital letters it read 'DO NOT EAT RAW'.  Apparently they are renowned for causing stomach upsets if you do.  Enough said.  I fortunately didn't eat any, so he suffered alone, but thankfully was fine the next daysmiley

A fine poem, Jenny...one to be more than proud of.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Tina,

what an almost tragic tale you had to tell. I cannot imagine the worry you must have felt, especially when you went back and read again, about not eating these mushrooms raw. We've had mushrooms come up in a shady part of our lawn, but I wouldn't dare touch them with a barge pole...you never really no for sure if they're safe.

So many thanks for reading this poem, glad you enjoyed it. Thank you  for sharing your story too, glad everything turned out alright in the end.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

This is a delightful poem and sets out such a beautiful picture of content.

I must admit that there was a time when I wished I didn't have to return to Britain. It was when we left New Zealand having been there for a year. I had felt so content there - with lots of friends, and the scenery and the climate were so much more agreeable than at home. But my husband's parents had become older and iller in the year we were away, and he felt he needed to be near them. He loved it there too, and the kids were happy.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jean,

I can imagine it must have been really hard to leave New Zealand, especially if you formed so many friendships and the weather agreed with you. I've seen so many pictures of New Zealand and it looks such a nice place...very clean I thought.

I have to admit that a place I would loved to have lived in the past is Canada. An old friend from the 1970s lived there with her husband who was nursing, they said friendships formed so quickly within weeks of moving to Canada. But in the end I am always drawn like a magnet to my routes and couldn't imagine living anywhere different.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my poem Jean and telling me your story, we all have a story to tell and It's always appreciated.

Jenny. smiley